GRAND BAY — A standing-room-only crowd of mourners filled the expansive Lighthouse Apostolic Holiness Temple on Tuesday for the “home going” service of Willie Sullivan Sr., and his grandson, Glenn Sullivan.

Cars and trucks filled the parking lot and lined Tom Waller Road as people filed into the church Tuesday. More than two dozen flower arrangements and plants were assembled at the front of the sanctuary, flanking the two dark-colored coffins nearly end to end, each draped with light blue and white carnations.

Two large afghans — one woven with the likeness of the grandfather, the other with the likeness of the grandson — stood near the coffins.

For about an hour, immediate and extended family members passed by both coffins, some bending to give a final kiss, others standing in respect for several seconds before walking on.

In the background, the choir sang “Hold to his hand. God’s unchanging hand,” one of several gospel songs that gave an inspirational feel to the otherwise somber occasion.

“He guided me through thick and thin,” Robinson said, closing his remarks by quoting words of Psalm 1. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. He bringeth his fruit in his season. His leaf shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. That’s all I’m going to say.”

Ronda Hardy, a special education teacher at Burns Middle School, said that like sapphires and rubies, Glenn Robinson was “a precious jewel.”

“Jewels have value, especially to people who have them in their possession. What do these jewels and Glenn Sullivan have in common? Glenn was also a jewel. .... Jewels bring joy to some, but Glenn brought joy to us all. He always gave of himself and thought of others. Today it’s our time to think of all the accomplishments that Glenn made.

“He was our jewel and he will always be remembered and treasured. God now has possession of him and a new jewel is in his crown.”

The sanctuary stilled when Adrian Roland and Adria Roland both recalled a young man who encouraged church attendance.

“I called him ‘preacher boy,’ because he was always preaching to somebody,” said Adria Roland, her voice shaking with emotion. “There won’t be a day that goes by that I won’t think about him. Rest in peace.”

The Rev. Darryl Riley referred to the trials of Job in the Old Testament in his eulogy to offer comfort and encouragement to the family, telling them to trust in their faith.

“When you can’t make sense of the hurts of life, you’ve got to trust God,” said Riley, pastor of New Welcome Baptist Church. “You don’t have all the answers right now, but the Lord had a plan for Willie and he had a plan for Glenn that was beyond our comprehension.”